Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is recruiting the next group of Fire Cadets for the new academic year.
About the initiative
Fire Cadets is a youth initiative for young people between 12 and 16 years old and is run by firefighters and members of RBFRS staff and volunteers, with educational support from the Safety Education Team.
Fire Cadets participate in practical and theoretical fire and rescue service activities, including hose drills, breathing apparatus procedures, and fire safety awareness sessions. The scheme teaches young people essential life skills such as self-discipline, confidence, and leadership.
Recruitment for Fire Cadets is open, and the course is due to run from October 2021 to July 2022. The Fire Cadets course runs for the academic year, term time only.
Fire cadet course
There are four Fire Cadet Units within RBFRS which are based at Crowthorne Fire Station, Maidenhead Fire Station, Whitley Wood Fire Station, and Newbury Fire Station.
In the end, Fire Cadets perform drills in front of their family and friends, demonstrating what they have learned
Courses held at Crowthorne Fire Station and Whitley Wood Fire Station take place on Wednesday evenings, and those at Newbury Fire Station and Maidenhead Fire Station take place on Thursday evenings. All sessions take place weekly, running from 7 pm to 9 pm.
At the end of the course, Fire Cadets will have a graduation ceremony, where they will perform drills in front of their family and friends, demonstrating what they have learned during the course.
Developing skills
Nicola Smith, Safety Education Manager, said, “Our dedicated Fire Cadet instructors are looking forward to welcoming our new group of Fire Cadets this October. During the course, Fire Cadets will have the opportunity to work with others and their communities and develop their team building and leadership skills while participating in fire and rescue service activities.
“Sessions consist of practical and theoretical fire and rescue service activities, including understanding how the fire and rescue service operates and learning about fire, road, and water safety."
"The course is designed to be 80% practical, with all of our Cadet units using dedicated fire engines and equipment. Fire Cadets also have uniform and fire kit provided for the duration of the course."
